Critics roared when he took Flynn at No. 6, right after Rubio. I could hear the whispers: the sports writer had to show he was the smartest guy in the room.

“Criticism is fine,” Kahn said. “I’d be more mindful if I thought it was a close call. I believe we did the right thing. We were highly prepared, highly organized. We did not expect Rubio to be there. And it seemed right to take the guy we were enamored with [Flynn].”

Experts had Rubio going as high as second. He wasn’t getting past Kahn at No. 5. And he loved Flynn too much to let him get away. Kahn validated what hoop fans in Western New York have known since Flynn was at the Falls.

“Jonny has a chance to be a very special player,” Kahn said. “Despite being short [6 feet], he carries himself as if he’s three or four inches taller. He has great athletic ability. I think he will become one of the best on-ball defenders in our league. I love his leadership capability. It seems to just ooze out of him.”

Citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the Spanish newspaper El Periodico reported Tuesday that lawyers for Timberwolves draft choice Ricky Rubio offered his team, DKV Joventut, just more than $3 million to get out of his contract in Spain so he can play in the NBA.

Rubio’s contract calls for a buyout of $6.6 million if he wants to get out of his final two years in Spain to play in the NBA, and the Wolves are allowed to pay only $500,000 of that. The Wolves management, knowing that signing Rubio would be the one thing they could do to increase season ticket sales, are doing everything possible to get him in uniform next season.

Wolves’ television analyst Jim Petersen joins Jonah Ballow with Summer League stories and a glimpse at the 2009 roster for Minnesota…
I also think seeing Corey Brewer come back is going to be big. I saw Corey after our last Lynx game in NBA City. I watched a number of his workouts with J.B. Bickerstaff and Corey looks great. He’s running at 100 percent. His jump shot is improved. J.B. has done a great job of working with Corey on his technique and form. I think he’s another one that Wolves fans should watch on Timberwolves.com and to check out and see how he is progressing.